Remote indicating circuit breakers



May 4', 1965 'r. w. COUGHLIN REMOTE INDICATING CIRCUIT BREAKERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1962 r ///7 a w m m w 8 I 2 I. 7 m m m m B I a .4. "a m m I u I..|| I 6 "m 8 9 8 M 9 w & m M M B O I 8 5 V 6 I u/ a 6 2 2 8 m \l Q I I v 1 9 I l m e 4 w w a Q m w M INVENTOR. THOMAS w. COUGHUN ATTORNEYS May 4, 1965 :3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1962 m m m 2 w m M F k n U 7///// w 2 xx 8 0 2 9 l B m 3 m 6 M I 9 E w a m w u a w I w ///la"- M a Q a s M n M ISO FIG.2

INVENTOR. THOMAS W. COUGHLI N ATTORNEYS y 65 T. w. COUGHLIN 3,182,151

REMOTE INDICATING CIRCUIT BREAKERS Filed March 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l NVENTOR. THOMAS w. cou GHLIN BY M 1 F|G.4B v jmnwah ATTORNEYS United States Patent Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 183,109 2 Claims. e1. 200-87 The invention relates to circuit breakers having the advantages of remote indication with a wide selection of characteristics, and more particularly is directed to circuit breakers for use with remote indicators and alarms in which auxiliary contacts are provided for fast positive indication when the circuit breaker trips. The auxiliary contacts may be used to actuate panel lights and to stop or start timing motors, and the like.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved circuit breaker having a quick-acting microswitch auxiliary to the circuit breaker and operated by a spring guide responsive to actuation of the circuit breaker so that external control means, alarms, or indications may be shown and responsive to changes in the condition of the circuit breaker.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an auxiliary switch for a circuit breaker that is insulated from the supporting structure of the circuit breaker.

A further object is to provide a circuit breaker that is miniature, magnetic, hermetically sealed, shock-proof, and having a trip device as well as an auxiliary switching unit that is simple, efficient, positive and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide acircuit breaker employing a floating toggle linkage having a movable spring guide to actuate an auxiliary switch mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a remote indicating circuit breaker comprised of substantially simple sheet metal stampings of readily available materials that are readily and inexpensively assembled.

The invention is essentially an automatic overload circuit breaker having circuit controlling contact means carried solely on pivotally mounted dual lever means, an electromagnetic device for opening the circuit controlling contact means on the dual lever means, a manual actuating member linked to the other dual lever means by a floating toggle linkage mechanism, a movable spring guide for directing the movement of the floating toggle linkage, and an auxiliary switch and mechanism responsive to the movable spring guide for actuating the auxiliary contacts from one condition to another when the circuit controlled contact means on the dual lever means have been moved from one position to another.

A complete understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is in part a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the circuit breaker mechanism in open position;

FIG. 2 is also in part a vertical sectional view like FIG. 1, but the circuit breaker mechanism is in closed position;

FIG. 3a shows a vertical elevational view of the circuit breaker in which the terminals for the auxiliary switch are mounted to and in insulation with respect to the frame of the circuit breaker;

FIG. 3b shows a vertical elevational view showing the terminal board of the auxiliary switch constructed of plastic;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show, respectively, the plane and elevational views of the spring assembly of the auxiliary switch; and

3,182,151 Patented May 4, 1965 FIGS. 5a and 512, respectively, show the plane and elevational views of the wiper arm of the auxiliary switch.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a supporting plate 10 is fastened integrally, as by welding, to a side wall 12. The distal end of side wall 12 is bifurcated to form terminal plates 14, 14. Each terminal plate carries a terminal 16, .16 which is insulatedly mounted from the terminal plates by means of glass insulation 18 or the like.

A toggle bushing 20 is rigidly mounted on the supporting plate 10, and a toggle handle 22 is pivotally mounted at an intermediate portion thereof by pin 23, so that it generally extends down through an opening 25 in the toggle bushing. A rubber diaphragm or seal 24 closes the opening around the handle 22, and, as shown, is bonded to both the bushing 20 and the handle 22.

A solenoid 26 is connected in series with circuit closing contacts 30, 32 and terminals 16, 16. A compound armature structure 36 is pivotally mounted on shaft 38 in operative relation to pole piece 40 of the solenoid. The compound armature 36 comprises in part an auxiliary armature 42 pivotally mounted on shaft 38 and having its upper end operably aligned with the solenoid pole piece 48. The auxiliary armature 42 in its lower part is bifurcated, forming legs ,44 and .46 of substantial length and size to mechanically balance the armature about shaft 38. Auxiliary armature 42 is limited in its counterclockwise movement relative to the pole piece 40 by means of a fixed stop 48 on a bracket 50 depending from a portion of the side wall 12. A whisker-type spring 52 is soldereanchored on plate wing extension 54, and extends around the lower edge thereof and bears against the side of auxiliary armature -42 to constantly bias it counterclockwise so that its leg 46 is normally held against stop 48 when the solenoid is ie-energized.

The main armature component is similarly pivotally mounted on shaft 38 and in juxtaposition to the auxiliary armature 42. A spring 62 mounted around shaft 38 urges it counterclockwise. This movement is limited by a side arm extension 64 on armature component 60 engaging stop 68 depending from plate wing extension 54. Stops 48 and 68 are so adjusted that the upper end of main armature component 60 is slightly angularly spaced relative to auxiliary armature 42 when the circuit for the circuit break-er is energized, and no overload condition obtains. The lower end of main armature component 64) comprises a latch abutment 72 disposed medially of legs 44 and 46.

On a fixed pivotal shaft 74 supported by the side wall 12 is mounted a relatively stiff, but resiliently bendable, lever 76 intermediate its length. At its end remote from the armature, it is pivotally connected by shaft 78 to a bifurcated toggle link 80 which is U-shaped at its upper end, while at its free end it carries the insulated circuit closing contact 32. Immediately above lever 76 and pivotally mounted on the same fixed pivot shaft 74 is a latch lever 82 also of relatively rigid construction and carrying the insulated circuit closing contact 30 which is positioned so as to be suitably engageable with contact 32 of lever 76. The end of latch lever 82 remote from the armature is bent to form a stop abutment finger 84 disposed between the bifurcations of toggle link 80 and engageable with a pin 86 carried by the bifurcations of link 80 at a point closely adjacent the mounting shaft 78. The finger 84 and pin 86 when engaged, limit the angular opening of latch lever 82 and lever 76 about their common pivot shaft 74. The other free end of latch lever 82 is bent to form a latch member 90 adapted under certain conditions to engage the latch abutment 72 of the main armature component 60.

A coiled spring 94 surrounds shaft 74 and has ends which bear respectively against levers 76 and 82 to normally urge the circuit closing contacts 30, 32 apart and, thus, into open circuit position.

The end of bifurcated toggle link 80, above and opposite its end pivoted on shaft 78, is pivotally connected to the lower end of toggle handle 22 by means of a pivot pin 96. Also pivotally mounted on and carried by pin 96 and nested between the arms of the U-shaped portion of link 80 is a plastic spring guide and abutment member 98 which has an offset moving guide member or arm 102 extending therefrom and slidably engaging in a guide and aligning aperture 104 in a non-metallic spring guiding and mounting member 106 pivotally mounted on shaft 108 at a 'fixed point on the side wall 12. Mounted between and carried by members 98 and 106 is a toggle actuating compression spring 110 which constantly tends to bias member 98, as well as the ends of handle 22 and link 80 also pivotally attached to pin 96, away from member 106 and its fixed pivot shaft 108. The movable guide arm 102 maintains the spring support members 98 and 106 in proper alignment at all times. To limit the distance that spring support member 98 may move under the action of spring 110, handle 22 strikes lower inside of toggle bushing 20.

A terminal plate 122 that may be of either metal or plastic insulation material, is respectively shown in FIGS. 3a and 31). At one end of the terminal plate is a terminal lug 124 and a soldered connection 126 for holding in place both a contact spring assembly 128, which is shown in further detail in FIGS. 4a and 4b, and a contact wiper arm 130, as more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5 b.

The contact spring is shown constructed of a single piece of metal sheet having substantial resilient characteristics. The contact spring is stamped as shown so that there is formed a center strip of the spring that is differently stressed than the peripheral strips. At the free end of the contact spring is mounted a contact element 132 for providing electrical engagement with either the extension of terminal 134 or 136. The contact 132 may be a shank that is rolled down in place after it has been placed through an opening in the free end of the contact spring 128.

A wiper arm is similarly made of resilient metal plate of a similar thickness to the contact spring, and it has depressions or dimples 138, 138 on each edge thereof for engaging the side spring elements of the contact spring 128. The free end 140 of the wiper arm curls up to form an engaging surface so that when the movable spring guide arm 102 traverses its path shown in FIG. 1 to that of FIG. 2 it will substantially depress the Wiper arm 130 so that the dimples 138 will crease the contact spring 128 from its initial free position to a restrained depressed position, which in turn moves the contact 132 to engagement with the extension of terminal 136.

A thin metallic casing 150 of a generally rectangular shape is provided to compactly enclose the circuit breaker and auxiliary switch mechanism mounted on supporting plate 10. The edge of the casing may closely engage the periphery of the supporting plate 10, or it may be sweat-soldered thereto in sealing relation. The casing 150 together with the seal 24 around the toggle handle 22 seals the circuit breaker and auxiliary switch mechanism against the admission of dust and moisture. The terminals 124, 134, 136 may be appropriately connected so that an alarm will be actuated when the circuit breaker contacts 30, 32 are opened, or other control mechanisms may be actuated in response to the opening or closing of these terminasl 124, 134, 136.

The combined circuit breaker and auxiliary switch operates as follows:

With the parts in the position shown in FIG. 1, and the contacts 30, 32 in open position, the toggle handle 22 is manually swung counterclockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 2. During such movement pivot pin 96, and the spring abutment 98 and upper end of toggle link 30 pivotally connected thereto, are moved to the right compressing toggle spring 110. As link 80, which is actually floating, in view of its mounting at both ends on movable pivots, is thus moved, its lower end, through its pivotal attachment with lever 76 or shaft 76, is forced downwardly. The initial downward movement causes clockwise movement of lever 76 about its fixed pivot 74, causing spring 94 to yieldingly urge latch lever 82 clockwise about its common pivot 74 such that its latch member 90 engages the latch member 72 of the main armature 60 which is in its path, as indicated in FIGURE 2.

Further downward movement of link 80 causes further clockwise pivotal movement of lever 76 bringing contact 32 up into engagement with contact 30 on latch lever 82 and, at the same time, further increasing the biasing action of spring 94. At this point of actuation contacts 30, 32 are closed and substantially no flexure obtains in lever 76. Throughout the movement of parts thus far described in the operation of the device, toggle pivot 96 lies to the left of a straight line extending between handle pivot 23 and toggle pivot 78. Since latch lever 32 cannot move upward any further, due to its latch member abutting latch abutment 72 of the main armature 60 due to the upward pressure of contact 32 on contact 30, and it being mounted near its other end on fixed pivot 74, continued movement of handle 22 toward the FIGURE 2 position forces toggle link 80 further downward. This downward movement pushes pivot pin 78 further downward causing a downward fiexure and deflection of the right hand end of lever '76 lying between pivots 74 and 78 while a slight upward bowing occurs in the lever between its pivot 74 and contact 32. The downward deflection of the end of lever 76 is at a maximum where toggle pivot pin 96 is at dead center. The final movement of handle 22 to the FIGURE 2 position swings toggle pivot pin 96 past dead center to a cocked position. As this occurs the deflected end of the lever flexes upwardly by the force thus stored in it to substantially the straight line position shown in FIGURE 2 thereby exerting sufficient force, by its inherent resistance to flexure, against the end of the floating toggle linkage formed by the lower end of handle 22 and toggle link 80, to hold it in its cocked (over dead center) position. It will be noted that while spring is highly compressed at this time, its force acting on toggle link 30 is of a very small value by reason of the fact, as clearly apparent in FIG- URE 2, that the greater component of its force is directed up through handle pivot 23, the toggle link pivot 96 being disposed just slightly out of and to the left of a straight line passing through handle pivot 23 and fixed spring abutment pivot 108. Thus the contacts 30, 32 are held in engagement by the floating toggle just described so long as the latch end '72 of the armature 60 is held in engagement with end 90 of latch lever 82.

Assuming the circuit breaker device is connected at its terminal 16, 16 into a circuit it is adapted to control, a predetermined overload percent in the embodiment illustrated) the solenoid 26 will cause a clockwise movement of the auxiliary armature 42 which then thrusts against the upper portion of the main armature 60. This movement of armature 60 oscillates its latch abutment 72 clockwise out of engagement with latch finger 90 on latch lever 82. Coil spring 94 then immediately acts to spread latch lever 82 and lever 76 apart about their fixed pivot shaft 74, releasing toggle abutment means 78, thereby permitting the small but effective component of force of toggle spring 110 to move pin 96 to the left. Immediately the full force of toggle spring 110 becomes effective to thrust and yieldingly hold the toggle handle 22 and toggle link 80 to the fully released position shown in FIGURE 1 until the mechanism is again manually operated as above described to again close contacts 30, 32. As the movable guide arm 102 moves along its path in response to the handle 22, the wiper arm is accordingly depressed so that the contact spring 128 opens its circuit with terminal 134, and closes its circuit with terminal 136.

The circuit breaker may obviously be used as a conventionally manually operable switch. When it is so used the circuit is closed at 30, 32 in exactly the same way as previously described, by oscillating handle 22 from the position in FIGURE 1 to that shown in FIGURE 2 when used as a circuit breaker. All components will then be disposed as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

To manually open the circuit at 30, 32 the handle 22 is returned from its FIGURE 2 position to its FIGURE 1 position.

Additional embodiments of the invention will occur to others, and therefore it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims and not by the embodiment described hereinabove. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: g

1. A circuit breaker comprising a mounting frame, a manually operable first lever pivoted intermediate its length on said frame, a second lever pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said frame in spaced relation to said manually operable lever, a link pivotally connected by means of pin means to an end of said second lever, said first lever and said second lever and link forming a floating toggle linkage, the said second lever being operably associated with releasable latching means whereby said second lever may be held in a fixed position, toggle actuating spring means mounted on the frame to thrust against said toggle linkage, said spring means moving said floating toggle linkage through a dead center position when the latching means operably associated with the said second lever is released, a guide arm mounted in said toggle spring means for traversing a path in response to actuation of the toggle linkage, switch means mounted on said frame including three terminals connectable to an external circuit, said switch means including a spring biased sheet to bridge a pair of the three terminals, a contact wiper arm having dimples to engage the biased 6 sheet into displacement to bridge the other terminal of the three terminals with one of the pair of terminals when said guide arm traverses its path, so that two of the three terminals form a part of an indication circuit.

2. In a circuit breaker having relatively movably mounted lever means carrying co-acting contact means for opening and closing an electric circuit, manual means to actuate said relatively movably mounted contact means, latch means to hold said contact means closed, motor means in said electric circuit effective to release said latch means on occurrence of predetermined circuit overload, the combination therewith of a floating toggle linkage connecting said manually actuable means and one of said movably mounted contact means, spring means acting through the point of connection of said floating toggle linkage to open said movably mounted contact means when said latch means is released by said motor means, a guide arm mounted in said toggle spring means and traversing a path in response to actuation of the toggle linkage, switch means mounted on said frame including at least three terminals connectable to an external circuit, said switch means including a spring-biased sheet to bridge a pair of the terminals, a contact arm having means to engage the biased sheet for displacing the sheet to bridge the other terminal thereof with one of the pair of terminals when said guide arm traverses its path so that at least two of the terminals form a portion of an indication circuit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 656,282 8/00 Brubaker et al. 200109 1,278,467 9/18 Hoeschen 200-109 1,729,859 10/29 Ainsworth 200109 2,417,169 3/47 Kaminky 20067 2,700,079 1/55 Haydon 200-67 3,083,281 3/63 Holdt 200-87 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

1. A CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPRISING A MOUNTING FRAME, A MANUALLY OPERABLE FIRST LEVER PIVOTED INTERMEDIATE ITS LENGTH ON SAID FRAME, A SECOND LEVER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED INTERMEDIATE ITS LENGTH ON SAID FRAME IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE LEVER, A LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BY MEANS OF PIN MEANS TO AN END OF SAID SECOND LEVER, SAID FIRST LEVER AND SAID SECOND LEVER AND LINK FORMING A FLOATING TOGGLE LINKAGE, THE SAID SECOND LEVER BEING OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH RELEASABLE LATCHING MEANS WHEREBY SAID SECOND LEVER MAY BE HELD IN A FIXED POSITION, TOGGLE ACTUATING SPRING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME TO THRUST AGAINST SAID TOGGLE LINKAGE, SAID SPRING MEANS MOVING SAID FLOATING TOGGLE LINKAGE THROUGH A DEAD CENTER POSITION WHEN THE LATCHING MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAID SECOND LEVER IS RELEASED, A GUIDE ARM MOUNTED IN SAID TOGGLE SPRING MEANS FOR TRAVERSING A PATH IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF THE TOGGLE LINKAGE, SWITCH MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME INCLUDING THREE TERMINALS CONNECTABLE TO AN EXTERNAL CIRCUIT, SAID SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING A SPRING BIASED SHEET TO BRIDGE A PAIR OF THE THREE TERMINALS, A CONTACT WIPER ARM HAVING DIMPLES TO ENGAGE THE BIASED SHEET INTO DISPLACEMENT TO BRIDGE THE OTHER TERMINAL OF THE THREE TERMINALS WITH ONE OF THE PAIR OF TERMINALS WHEN SAID GUIDE ARM TRAVERSED ITS PATH, SO THAT TWO OF THE THREE TERMINALS FORM A PART OF AN INDICATION CIRCUIT. 